January 7 is the first workday of the new year in Kagai. The Maiko House girls are rushing about, preparing for the beginning of work. Sumire has her hair put up, gives Mother a personal New Year's greeting, and gets dressed in a formal black crested kimono worn on celebratory occasions. In the kitchen, Kiyo prepares a special breakfast for this important day, but the maiko must take particular care when eating it.
"If the mochi is too hard to break,
soak it in water once to soften."
إذا كانت الموتشي صلبة جدّاً ولا يمكن"
"تكسيرها، ننقعها بالماء مرّة لتليينها
„Wenn der Mochi zu hart ist,
kann man ihn vorher in Wasser einweichen.“
Cuando hasta con un mazo
cueste partirlos,
Cuando hasta con un mazo
cueste partirlos,
Quand c’est trop dur à casser,
même au marteau,
"Se il mochi è troppo duro da rompere,
si immerge nell'acqua per ammorbidirlo."
"Caso o mochi esteja duro demais,
amoleça ele na água antes,
«Если моти не ломаются,
можно смочить их в воде.